Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning , Government , Industry Specific

US DOD Eyes $15B AI Contract to Scale Advana Platform

The U.S. Department of Defense is seeking industry proposals for a new artificial intelligence contract vehicle to help revamp its multi-domain analytics platform, Advana, according to a newly released draft solicitation.

See Also: Maximizing data utility in mission delivery, citizen services, and education

The Pentagon is seeking proposals for the potential combined value $15 billion artificial intelligence multiple award contract to modernize and scale its web-based analytics platform while improving data-driven decision-making. The new contract vehicle could extend through July 2035 with the possibility of granting 50 to 70 awards if all options are exercised.

The multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract will support the development of emerging technologies DOD can use to enhance its data analytics processes and overhaul Advana, the department's largest enterprise data system. In 2021, the Pentagon awarded Booz Allen Hamilton a three-year task order valued at $3.2 billion.

DOD said earlier this year it will test generative AI tools to streamline contracting and management operations for Pentagon employees. Stephanie Wilson, a DOD agreements officer overseeing the department's implementation of AI technologies, said in February her team was developing "new generative AI contract writing systems" to allow for more efficient evaluations of contracts, grants and other transactions (see: DOD Testing Generative AI Tools to Enhance Contracting).

"For us, bringing in generative AI into the federal workspace does not necessarily mean taking over jobs," Wilson said at an Advanced Technology Academic Research Center event. "What it means is making the lives better for the people who are working for us now, and freeing up the space for them to critically think."

Responses to the draft request for proposals are due by Dec. 20.